CHENNAI : The Multi-Speciality Mehta’s Hospitals in Chetpet organised a press meet on the occasion of World Hepatitis Week (July 23-July 28). The meet aimed at creating awareness about hepatitis, where three specialists — doctors spoke about the disease, its impact, prevention and control.
The most important points shared were:
Viral hepatitis is a cause for major health care burden in India. Over five million Indians are infected & about one lakh die every year, due to hepatitis. Worldwide there are 325 million people infected & 1.34 million die every year due to viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B and C, which may not show any symptom for years). At least 60% of liver cancer cases are due to late testing and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C. A large majority of these people lack access to life-saving testing and treatment. Millions of people are at risk of a slow progression to chronic liver disease and cancer.
Interacting with the media, Dr Sunitha Sunil, Family Medicine & Preventive (Health) Care specialist said, viral hepatitis imposes a major healthcare burden in the Indian subcontinent. Maintaining adequate sanitary and hygienic conditions can help tackle the problem associated by transmitted pathogens like HAV and HEV.Dr Illavrasi, Medical Gastroenterologist explained the various forms of hepatitis and its causes. Hepatitis may be acutely triggered by (recent infection/certain drugs/ alcohol/ immune related or chronic due to a virus).
The symptoms regardless of acute or chronic condition will show up as fatigue, anorexia, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine, and pale clay-coloured stools.In connection with World Hepatitis Day, a free screening camps, awareness talks family physician consultation and discounted vaccination, investigations specialists consultation and treatment were also provided.